Bros Kitchen and Gastro Pub in Songtan

When I first saw Bro's Kitchen, I'm not going to lie, I wasn't excited. I've had so many terrible burgers and sandwiches in my life (all over the world) that I'm rarely excited about trying a new place. I'm more interested in noodles and rice. In fact, I'd say that I arrived at Bro's ready to dislike it. It actually took TWO visits in order to work up the guts to try something. THAT'S how much I don't enjoy burgers. I was 100% sure it was going to be smothered in really weird sauce, on terrible quality bread, with low grade composite meat and I would be sick for a day.

Once again, a restaurant has humbled me and set me straight. The Earthquake burger is a delight and the fries that come with the set are cooked just the way I like it. It's wonderful that, these days, new restaurants in the area are proving me wrong more than right. New owners are upping the game and changing my views of what's possible. Thank you Bro's for teaching me a lesson to not judge a new restaurant by past experiences.

So what makes this burger stand out? Let's start with the bun. It's awesome. I've been super unhappy with the brioche bun concept that has been very popular in Korea. It soaks up all the sauce and just gets gross.  Bro's bun is the opposite of that. It's hearty (more like a European bun), well formed, and holds up the ENTIRE meal. The burger to bun ratio is also right. As my dining companion said, "It actually tastes like burger, as in the meat." They haven't tried to make you feel like you are getting "more" but hiding a small patty in a huge bun. So visually it seems smaller than other burgers, but it's not. There is just less filler.

Next, the sauce isn't too sweat and it's not drowned in it. Usually this is my biggest complaint. I get a burger and it's swimming in a weird sauce that drips everywhere, destroys the bun, gets gross messy, and makes the entire meal the worst.  I have a lot of feelings about sauce.

Sadly, what I can eat at Bro's is limited since it's a cheese heavy menu. Most of the dishes would be pointless if I had them hold the cheese so I'll have to let others review those. For now I'll just stick with eating my weight in Earthquake burgers.

WAZE ID: Bros Kitchen and Gastro Pub

*** This listing and all other restaurants reviewed by South of Seoul can be found in the South of Seoul app which can be downloaded from Google Play and the Apple App Store. ***

Louis Bar & Grill

One of the most delightful features of Louis Bar and Grill is the fact they have seasonal menus. There is always something new on the horizon. During the fall and winter you can look forward to hearty favorites coming back and in the summers you know fresh, bright flavors will be showing up again. This weekend is the launch of the new fall/winter menu so I stopped by to hear what they have in mind. For now, those things I was told will be a secret, but as soon as I get the final copy of the menu I'll be sharing it with all of you.

Since I was starving from my bike ride and wouldn't be home before Foreigner Night in Pyeongtaek, I also decided to grab a hearty dinner and try something new to me: the Pork Belly. It was a total stunner. Two THICK cut rounds of Italian style pork belly on a heaping (like a mountain) pile of perfect mashed potatoes and a salad. Worth every single won I spent and exactly the kind of calories I needed for my ride.

The first thing I asked after taking a bite was, "This isn't going off the menu is it?" I felt a little panicked that I'd discovered this dish right before it was gone. They assured me that it was in the running to remain on the menu, because - you know - it's magical.

Although I've always been the biggest fan of Louis' since they arrived I went through South of Seoul blog and realized that I haven't written nearly enough articles about them. I Instagram them, tweet them, and FB them but I haven't written enough. Huge failure on my part. This is one of our true gems. A place local foodies needs to eat at least once a month, if not more. Their staff is friendly, the space is beautiful and the food is hearty perfection, and their menu changes with the seasons - what's not to love?

*** This listing and all other restaurants reviewed by South of Seoul can be found in the South of Seoul app which can be downloaded from Google Play and the Apple App Store. ***

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Louis' Bar and Grill

Wednesdays have become my day for trying something new, so I was really exited to see Louis' Bar and Grill opening this week.  Since I've given up on passing my Korean exam I had all the time in the world to go see if Louis' lived up to their online talk of homemade pickles and quality food. 

Like them on Facebook

Since I think any joint claiming to be Americana can be directly judged by their BBQ sandwich,  I ordered without even looking at the rest of the menu. Without question, they delivered what they were selling and I was impressed.  Twenty years with a southern boy have made the slaw as important as the BBQ for me.  It's what has been missing on all the new sandwiches coming to Anjeong-ri.  Plus, the addition of the pickled onions and various hot sauces gave it the extra pop I look for in sandwiches I want to eat regularly.

Of course they have beer

In addition to lunch 11am - 2pm and dinner 4pm - 10pm, this weekend Louis' is going to start offering brunch from 10am - 3pm Saturday and Sunday.  Which I'm pretty excited about.  They were saying good things about biscuits and gravy, Eggs Benedict, omelets, homemade breakfast sausage, etc.   I'll be going back for that just as soon as I can.

LOCATION ALERT: The Louis' Bar and Grill Facebook page directions are totally wrong.  If you want to eat here its on the main strip located in front of the Camp Humpherys walking gate. It's on the left not far down the street located on the second floor.

Louis' Bar and Grill Brunch Menu

(One of our Two Best Eggs Benedict Selections)

Phillidelphia Hoagies

Pyeongtaek Restaurants

That we love

Where to Go: Philadelphia Hoagies in Songtan 

No weirdness, just real Philly Hoagies on homemade bread. We loved the beef pastrami, cheese steak, and the roast beef.  Fries also delicious.

Pro Tip: Order the cheesesteak with hot peppers.

Address: Just off the strip, turn at the ugly ass gargoyles.

JJ's American Diner

Best Meal in Town

Pyeongtaek Restaurants

That we love

Where to Go: JJ's American Restaurant Angeong-ri

Since moving to Korea The Harri-bou-bou, a born and raised Southerner, has been withering away without his BBQ sandwiches, while I have been crying myself to sleep over the lack of plantains in my life.  Then, out of the blue, our lives were changed when we found JJ's American Diner.  After four years without the taste of soul food, our hearts have found a home.

We originally tried it on a whim, because Braii Republic was closed and JJ's isn't far away.  To be honest, we had very, very low expectations since it advertises itself as an "American" restaurant which usually means either weird food or tasteless food.  Needless to say, we have never been so glad to be soooooooooo wrong.  Thus far, we haven't had any bad experiences at JJ's and we eat there a lot.  The food is fan-flippen-tastic.  Like, no joke.  Usually we stick to the pulled pork sandwiches, but last week The Harri-bou-bou went crazy and ordered the Macaroni and Cheese with Pulled Pork Panini. Mind blown.  We also had a sample of some country fried chicken they are working on, it was wonderful. 

 

Personally though, it's the Fried Dill Pickles and the Fried Plantains that make me get in the car and drive 20 minutes every week..  Just be warned, the plaintains will set you back a pretty penny, but if you are dying for the unique flavor it's totally worth it.

 

Pro Tip: If you like spicy then they have a special BBQ sauce you can order on the side, or on the sandwich.  This is my preference.  Also, they usually close for a short time between lunch and dinner so come before 2 and after 5.  Oh, and this isn't fast food, it's delicious food so just chill out and wait.

Address: New Camp Humphry's Main Gate.  Look for the building painted like an American flag.

 

Fried Dill Pickles

Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwhich

Fried Plaintains

Look for this.